The scheme, which will form part of the city council's development plans, also proposes better leisure facilities, the introduction of a farmers' market, and an attempt to meet the high demand for allotments.

Coun Ian Ward (Lab Shard End), deputy leader of the Labour group, welcomed the plans, which were approved at a cabinet meeting yesterday.

He said: "This local shopping centre is increasingly coming under pressure from retail development elsewhere and we should be encouraging those that remain vibrant.

"There is an increase in fast food takeaways and charity shops which is the first signs of a local shopping area becoming run down."

Coun Len Gregory (Con Billesley), cabinet member for transportation, said a rail service was important to the suburb and officers had lobbied rail providers and Centro to open the line for passengers.

Meanwhile, plans to rejuvenate the tornado-ravaged Sparkbrook area of the city were condemned as "pretentious, self contradictory and over ambitious" by Labour leader Sir Albert Bore.

Mr Bore questioned a £55 million bid for Government funding put forward by the local authority, which is needed to fulfil the ten-year plan and criticised the regeneration report.

The £260 million scheme would be Birmingham's biggest ever inner-city renewal project.

Sir Albert (Lab Ladywood) said: "The report doesn't say why £55 million is needed from Government, it appears to be a plug to finance a gap.

"We need an action plan which is robust enough and has to have real substance for Government to commit to this."

Council leader Mike Whitby (Con Harborne) said: "Government has been encouraged by our response to date to formulate a framework in partnership with the local community who themselves drive the expectations, which are no doubt ambitious."